Queensland’s agriculture sector is no stranger to disruption. Floods, storms, and other natural hazards continue to test farm businesses, impacting productivity, infrastructure, and long-term viability.
With the ongoing global supply disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, primary producers are facing increasingly complex and compounding challenges to farm viability, particularly in relation to fuel and fertiliser.
Primary producers are encouraged to contact their peak industry body to report challenges stemming from these supply issues.
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) is working with our peak body members, industry partners and government to strengthen preparedness through a range of practical, on-ground initiatives.
A key focus is the Farm Business Resilience Program, which supports producers to consider and assess risk across their entire operation, from water security and input costs through to financial planning and long-term sustainability.
Through the program, producers develop a tailored Farm Business Resilience Plan, helping identify priorities, strengthen decision-making and position their business to access funding and investment opportunities.
For instance, Darling Downs cotton growers who participated in the program developed a plan that led to investments which are already improving water use efficiency and reducing costs.
QFF is also building capability through initiatives such as Crisis Communications Training, innovative parametric crop insurance programs and UQ HailNet.
These projects equip producers with practical tools to manage high-risk situations and improve access to real-time, on-farm weather data to better mitigate financial and business risks.
In conjunction with the programs, QFF continues to advocate for stronger long-term policy settings to support drought preparedness and disaster recovery.
This included backing national frameworks such as the National Drought Agreement and Future Drought Fund and encouraging greater investment in preparedness measures that support farm viability and faster recovery following disaster and weather events.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader shift from reacting to events, to preparing for them.
Producers can learn more about these programs and how to get involved with QFF’s risk, recovery and resilience team by visiting our website at www.qff.org.au
